Strip for joining components

ABSTRACT

A connection for connecting structural elements (6, 7) in a butt joint, comprised of rigid connecting elements (B1) having a substantially rectangular cross-section of a predetermined thickness (d), wherein a first connection half formed of the connecting elements (B1) is fastened to the surface of a first structural element (6) to be connected, and a second connection half formed of the connecting elements (B1) is fastened to the surface, or preferably in a recess, of a second structural element (7) to be connected. The connecting elements (B1) each have an offset connecting tab (1) with an offset (V) corresponding to the thickness (d) of a connecting element (B1) ensuring that the connecting tabs (1) engage one below the other without clearance and under positive locking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention in general relates to a connecting means for releasablyconnecting structural elements, in particular to a connecting means fora butt joint.

A connecting means for such a purpose is, e.g., known from DE 1 779 745B. With this arrangement, a recess is provided in one of the structuralelements to be connected, in which an offset resilient strip isfastened. The offset end section of the resilient strip has alongitudinal slot for receiving a retention screw provided on thecounterpiece to be connected. However, such an arrangement is suited forlow loads only and provides only little security against torsion.

From FR 23 46 590 A, a connecting device is known which consists of twopositively interengaging connecting elements, one of which beingprovided with a hook and the other one being provided with a hookopening. Although this connecting device seems suitable to accommodatehigh forces, too, it does, still, have substantial drawbacks. Apart fromthe fact that the production costs of this connecting device are veryhigh on account of its complicated shape, the connecting elements, as aconsequence of their special shape, can be interconnected in a singleway only.

Finally, from DE 89 03 252 U a connecting device for shelves is knownwhere only hooking-in of beams in apertures of standards by aid ofhook-shaped suspension parts is provided for. Also this connectingdevice is not multivalently adaptable to given conditions of space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a connecting means forconnecting structural elements, whose individual components (elements)have a very simple shape so that they can be produced at low cost.Furthermore, the individual elements shall be capable of being combinedsuch that at the site of connection, a connecting means of proper sizeand of a high connection stability can be provided in accordance withthe given conditions of space.

Accordingly, the invention provides for a connecting means forconnecting structural elements and comprising at least two rod orplate-shaped, substantially rigid connecting elements each to beconnected as one half of the connection means with one of the structuralelements, and having a substantially rectangular cross-section and auniform material thickness, a first end of one of the connectingelements being designed as an offset connecting tab which is offset inparallel by the material thickness relative to the remaining part of theconnecting element which serves as a fastening base.

Accordingly, the invention provides for a connecting means theconstruction of which is very simple in an advantageous manner and whichmay comprise uniformly designed, substantially rigid connectingelements, with which one respective half of a connecting means can bebuilt up, depending on the requirements with regard to retention forceand the spacial installation conditions. It is, thus, substantial thatby using uniform connecting elements or connecting elements of the sametype, whose construction is very simple, connecting means of variousembodiments can be provided, a low-cost produceability and storabilitybeing ensured.

For making a connection by aid of the connecting means according to theinvention, it may, e.g., be proceeded such that one side or face of thefirst structural element to be connected is provided with a recess of adepth corresponding to the height of a connecting element. A firstconnecting element is fastened to the bottom of this recess with itsfastening base such that its offset connecting tab is spaced from thebottom of the recess and ends flush with the surface of the structuralelement. To the surface of a second structural element a second suchconnecting element is fastened. With the structural parts assembled, theoffset connecting tabs of the first and second connecting elementsengage one underneath the other and provide for a positive connection.

It is, however, also possible to provide the connection simply byfastening the connecting elements to the surfaces of the structuralelements to be connected.

According to a preferred embodiment of the connecting means according tothe invention the connecting tab is provided with at least one insertionslot which is open towards the tab end to accommodate the shaft of aretention screw, and the second end of the fastening base locatedopposite the connecting tab has a bore aligned with each insertion slotand corresponding to the slot width, for the shaft of a furtherretention screw. With this embodiment, thus an additional retentionelement is used which has the form of a screw and is tightly connectedto the respective structural element at the end of the fastening base ofthe connecting element, i.e. opposite the offset connecting tabs. Theoffset connecting tabs have an insertion slot so as to accommodate therespective retention screw in the connected state, wherein theconnecting tabs engage under the head of the retention screw. On accountof these additional retention elements, the connection has aparticularly high loading capacity.

The loading capacity may also be increased in that the second end of thefastening base is bent in the shape of a U in the direction to theconnecting tab, the channel formed between the fastening base and a leghaving a clear width corresponding to the material thickness. In thisembodiment, the connecting tabs each engage in the respective otherU-shaped end sections and are held there by positive locking. Inaddition, it is suitable if the leg has a bore in alignment with a boreof the fastening base so as to accommodate a retention screw.

It is also advantageous if the offset connecting tabs have a chamfer forimproving their joinability. Similarly, it has proved to be advantageousif the insertion slots of the connecting elements are outwardly widenedin wedge-shape to improve their joinability.

A particularly simple connection can be made if the connecting tabs oftwo oppositely arranged connection elements engage one behind the otherone in the assembled state of the connecting elements. An increasedstability is obtained if the connecting tab of one connecting element isreceived in the channel of the oppositely arranged connection element inthe connected state of the connecting elements. To increase the strengthof the connection, the connecting tabs may engage one behind the otherin the connected state of the connecting elements, in alternatingfashion, and may surround the insertion slots of the shafts of theretention screws. On the other hand, it is advantageous if in theconnected state of the connecting elements, the connecting tab of theone connecting element is received in the channel of the oppositelyarranged connecting element and the insertion slot surrounds the shaftof the retention screw.

For a high loading capacity, also an embodiment of the connecting meanshas proved advantageous which is characterised in that

a first connecting means half is comprised of two connecting elementsarranged at a pre-determined distance in parallel to each other, whichare interconnected at the non-offset end sections by means of atransverse web, the end sections of the transverse web being fastened tothese end sections of the connecting elements, and the transverse webhaving a retention screw at its center, and in that

a second connecting means half is comprised of a connecting elementhaving a width corresponding to the pre-determined distance, wherein atransverse web is fastened to the non-offset end section, whichtransverse web has a retention screw at each of its two end sections.

To increase the strength of connection, the connecting elements may alsobe arranged in cascade form according to the connection area available.

It is a further advantage if a spring element is arranged between thetwo connecting elements to be connected, e.g. a leaf spring, which isfastened to one of the connecting elements and creates a pre-stresspreventing the connecting elements from sliding out easily of theirconnected position.

Finally, it is also suitable if the connecting elements and optionallythe further retention elements consist of a material of higher strength,preferably of metal.

It is a main point of view of the invention that the interengagedconnecting elements are substantially rigid, i.e. not resilient, andthat the offset connecting tabs of the connecting elements substantiallyengage without clearance and under positive locking. The individualconnecting elements have a very simple geometric and substantiallyuniform configuration, so that a low-cost mass production is possible.Furthermore, this simple geometric shape enables an automated productionof the connecting means. The connecting elements may be stored easilyand fastened automatically to the structural elements to be connected bymeans of mounting devices.

Further characteristics of the invention will appear from the followingdescription and the drawings, in which advantageous exemplaryembodiments are schematically illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIGS. 1a and 1b show an offset connecting element in longitudinalsection and in a top view.

FIGS. 2a to 2d schematically illustrate how two structural elements areconnected by aid of respective connecting elements according to FIG. 1,these illustrations being a top view (FIG. 2a) and a side view (FIG.2b), in the connected state in a top view. FIG. 2c) and in side view(FIG. 2d).

FIGS. 3a to 3d show a further embodiment of a connecting meanscomprising several connecting elements as well as the functionalcooperation during assembly, these illustrations being top views (FIGS.3a, 3c) and side views (FIGS. 3b, 3d).

FIGS. 4a and 4b show a further embodiment of two structural elements tobe connected, each including a connecting element and having twolongitudinal slots, before and after the connection has been made.

FIGS. 5a to 5d shows a further embodiment of two structural elementseach having a web-shaped connecting element angled off in U-shape at oneend section, with FIGS. 5b and 5c showing the unconnected state in sideview and in top view, respectively, and FIGS. 5a and 5d showing theconnected state thereof.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show the subject matter of FIGS. 5a to 5d in a furtherembodiment comprising a leaf spring.

FIGS. 7a to 7d show the connecting means according to FIGS. 1a and 1b inits simplest form of connection, FIGS. 7a and 7c illustrating for thesake of clarity the state before connecting the structural elements, andFIGS. 7b and 7d illustrating the state after the connection has beenmade--each in side view and in top view, respectively.

FIGS. 8a to 8d show a connection means according to FIGS. 3a to 3d inrespective illustrations, wherein none of the structural elements to beconnected comprises a recess, FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrating for the sakeof clarity the state before connecting the structural elements, andFIGS. 8c and 8d illustrating the state after the connection has beenmade.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In its simplest embodiment according to FIGS. 7a to 7d, the connectingmeans for connecting two structural elements in a butt joint consistsbasically of at least two equal connecting elements B1 according toFIGS. 1a and 1b. The respective connecting element B1 itself is a pieceof flat strip material having rectangular cross-section and a thicknessd (FIG. 1a). One end is offset in parallel to the remaining portion.This offset forms a connecting tab 1. The connecting tab 1 is offsetrelative to the remaining portion by an amount V which equals thematerial thickness d. The remaining portion is designated as fasteningbase 2 which, in this exemplary embodiment illustrated, comprises twofastening holes for countersunk screws 3. The connecting tab 1 has aninsertion slot LS in alignment with and symmetrical to the longitudinalaxis of symmetry of the connecting element B1, which insertion slot LSis flared in funnel-shape. Furthermore, a wedge-shaped chamfer F isprovided at the lower side of the connecting tab 1. At the end of thefastening base 2, a bore 4 is provided in alignment with the insertionslot LS. The insertion slot LS and the bore 4 will be explained in moredetail with a view to their function.

To produce the connection of the structural elements according to FIGS.7a to 7d, a first connecting element B1 is tightly screwed to thesurface of a first structural element 6 such that its connecting tab 1is spaced by a distance from the surface of the structural element. Thisdistance corresponds to the thickness d of the connecting element B1.The second connecting element B1 is fastened to the base of a recess Aof the second structural element 7 to be connected, analogous to thefirst connection element B1. In this embodiment, the depth of the recessA corresponds to twice the thickness d of a connecting element B1. Toconnect the two structural elements 6, 7, they are assembled such thatthe connecting tabs 1 engage one under the other, as is particularlyapparent from FIG. 7b. The chamfers F cause a safe sliding of theconnecting tabs 1 underneath one another. It goes without saying thatthe length of the recess A must be dimensioned such that it correspondsat least to the length of two connecting elements B1. FIG. 7b also showsclearly that the two superimposed connecting tabs 1 fill the recess A,so that a positive connection is formed and the structural elements abuteach other without any gaps.

If the connection is to have a particularly high retention capacity, anembodiment according to FIGS. 2a to 2d is preferred. In this embodiment,an additional retention element is used, which preferably is designed asa screw 8 having a head 9. The shaft of this screw 8 extends through thebore 4 at the end of the connecting element B1, wherein, according toFIG. 2b, the lower edge of the screw head 9 has a distance to thesurface of the connecting element B1 which corresponds to the thicknessd of the connecting element B1. The structural elements 6, 7 aresuperimposed according to FIGS. 2a and 2b, in the direction of thearrows, and mutually shifted until the connecting tabs 1 mutually engagebelow the screw heads 9 by their insertion slots LS. The funnel-shapedflarings of the insertion slots LS facilitate gripping of the shafts ofthe screws 8. With this embodiment of the connection, the depth of therecess A equals three times the thickness d of a connecting element B1.

In FIGS. 3a to 3d, a connecting means is shown which has severalconnecting elements B1 in combination. Thus, according to FIG. 3a, thestructural element 7 to be connected and having the recess A is providedwith two connecting elements B1 which have been screwed to the bottom ofthe recess A parallel to each other at a pre-determined distance. Thisdistance corresponds to the width b of a connecting element B1 which hasbeen screwed onto the other structural element 6 to be connected. Acrossthe two connecting elements B1 arranged in parallel, a transverse web 10has been screwed, which has been provided with a retention screw 8 atits center to increase its retention force. The other structural element6 carries one connecting element B1 only, and a transverse web 11arranged at a right angle thereto, which transverse web 11 is fastenedat its center by a fastening screw and has a retention screw 8 at eachof its ends. In this case of application, the retention screws 8 arecountersunk head screws. In FIGS. 3c and 3d, this connecting means isshown in its assembled state, wherein the connecting tab 1 of theconnecting element B1 of the structural element 6 engages below theretention screw 8 of the transverse web 10 of the structural element 7,and the connecting tabs 1 of the connecting elements B1 of thestructural element 7 engage below the two retention screws 8 on thetransverse web 11 of the structural element 6.

It ought to be emphasized that the arrangement of the connectingelements B1 can be combined at will in cascades and that their numbercan be increased at will so that the conditions of space and areaprovided for the connection can be used to an optimum.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show a connecting means comprising two plate-shapedconnecting elements B2, each having two insertion slots LS, tworetention screws 8 and four fastening screws 3. By using plate-shapedelements having several insertion slots, a smaller number of individualelements is required so that less production time is required whenproducing a connecting means.

FIGS. 5a and 5d show a connecting means having two connecting elementsB3 which correspond to the connecting elements B1 in terms of the base 2and the offset connecting tab 1, which, however, have a U-shaped bend 13at their end section arranged opposite the connecting tab 1, the clearwidth (channel) 14 between the leg 15 and the fastening base 2corresponding to the thickness d of a connecting element. The U-shapedbend 13 additionally increases the stability of the connection in thatthe two connecting elements B3 mutually engage under each other at bothof their ends. There, the leg 15 takes on the function of the screw head9 of the connecting elements B1 and B2.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show a connecting means comprising two connectingelements B3 according to FIGS. 5a to 5d. In addition, a spring element16 is arranged between the connecting elements B3 to be connected, thespring element being fastened to one connecting element B3. Preferably,the spring element 16 is a leaf spring. By this leaf spring, anadditional pre-stress is created which prevents the connecting elementsB3 from slipping out of their connected positions.

FIGS. 8a to 8d illustrate a further embodiment, wherein the connectingmeans is not fastened in a recess. There are cases of application, inwhich the provision of a recess is not suitable. In such cases, theconnecting means may also be fastened to each of the external surfacesof the structural elements to be connected, as is particularlyillustrated in FIGS. 8b and 8d.

The foregoing description of embodiments merely serves to explain a fewexemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention. Clearly,numerous and different other arrangements may be carried out by theskilled artisan when having knowledge of the above teachings, yet theseare to be considered to be within the scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A connecting device for connecting structural elements to one another, comprising first and second, generally flat, substantially rigid connecting elements, each to be connected, as a separate one half of the connecting device, with a first and a second structural element; each connecting element having a substantially rectangular cross section and a uniform material thickness; at least said first connecting element including(a) a fastening base having first and second opposite ends; (b) a connecting tab extending from said first end away from and parallel to said fastening base; said connecting tab being offset from said fastening base by a distance equal to said material thickness; said connecting tab having a free tab end and an insertion slot open towards said free tab end to accommodate a shaft of a retention screw; and (c) a bore hole provided in said fastening base in a region of said second end thereof to provide for a passage for a further retention screw.
 2. The connecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein said bore hole is located at said second end of said fastening base.
 3. The connecting device as defined in claim 2, wherein said bore hole is aligned with said insertion slot and further wherein said bore hole and said insertion slot have identical widths.
 4. The connecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein said second end is formed as a U-shaped terminus of said connecting device; said terminus having a bend extending from said fastening base and continuing in a leg; said leg extending towards said insertion slot and defining a channel with said fastening base; said leg having a surface facing a surface of said fastening base; a clearance between said surfaces defining a clear width of said channel; said clear width having a dimension corresponding to said material thickness.
 5. The connecting device as defined in claim 4, further comprising a bore hole provided in said leg; said bore hole in said leg being aligned with said bore hole in said fastening base.
 6. The connecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting tab has a chamfer for improving joinability.
 7. The connecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein said insertion slot is flaring outwardly to improve joinability.
 8. The connecting device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a spring element fastened to one of said first and second connecting elements and being situated therebetween in the connected state of the connecting device for generating a pre-stressing force to prevent said first and second connecting elements from readily slipping out of a connected position thereof.
 9. The connecting device as defined in claim 8, wherein said spring element is a leaf spring.
 10. A connecting device for connecting structural elements to one another, comprising first and second, generally flat, substantially rigid connecting elements, each to be connected, as one half of the connecting device, with a first and a second structural element; each connecting element having a substantially rectangular cross section and a uniform material thickness; each connecting element including(a) a fastening base having first and second opposite ends; (b) a connecting tab extending from said first end away from and parallel to said fastening base; said connecting tab being offset from said fastening base by a distance equal to said material thickness; said connecting tab having a free tab end and an insertion slot open towards said free tab end to accommodate a shaft of a retention screw, whereby in a connected state of the connecting device the connecting tab of the first connecting element and the connecting tab of the second connecting element is adapted to assume an overlapping relationship such that the connecting tab of the first connecting element is substantially coplanar with the fastening base of the second connecting element and the connecting tab of the second connecting element is substantially coplanar with the fastening base of the first connecting element; and (c) a bore hole provided in said fastening base to provide for a passage for a further retention screw.
 11. The connecting device as defined in claim 10, wherein said second end is formed as a U-shaped terminus of said connecting device; said terminus having a bend extending from said fastening base and continuing in a leg; said leg extending towards said insertion slot and defining a channel with said fastening base; said leg having a surface facing a surface of said fastening base; a clearance between said surfaces defining a clear width of said channel; said clear width having a dimension corresponding to said material thickness, whereby in a connected state of said connecting device said channel of said first connecting element accommodates said connecting tab of said second connecting element.
 12. The connecting device as defined in claim 10, wherein in a connected state of said connecting device said insertion slot of the tab of the first connecting element is in alignment with said insertion slot of the tab of the second connecting element when said tabs are in an overlapping relationship.
 13. A connecting device for connecting structural elements to one another, comprising first and second, generally flat, substantially rigid connecting elements, each to be connected, as one half of the connecting device, with a first and a second structural element; each connecting element having a substantially rectangular cross section and a uniform material thickness;said first connecting element including (a) first and second connecting members extending parallel to and spaced from one another at a predetermined distance; said first and second connecting members each including(1) a fastening base having first and second opposite ends; (2) a connecting tab extending from said first end away from and parallel to said fastening base; said connecting tab being offset from said fastening base by a distance equal to said material thickness; said connecting tab having a free tab end and an insertion slot open towards said free tab end to accommodate a shaft of a first retention screw for the first connecting member and a second retention screw for the second connecting member; (3) a bore hole provided in said fastening base to provide for a passage for a third retention screw; and (b) a transverse web coupling said first and second connecting members to one another at respective said second ends thereof; said transverse web having a bore hole between said second ends of said first and second connecting members to provide for a passage for a fourth retention screw; said second connecting element including (a) a single connecting member having a width permitting said single connecting member to be accommodated between said first and second connecting members of said first connecting element; said single connecting member including(1) a fastening base having first and second opposite ends; (2) a connecting tab extending from said first end away from and parallel to said fastening base; said connecting tab being offset from said fastening base by a distance equal to said material thickness; said connecting tab having a free tab end and an insertion slot open towards said free tab end to accommodate a shaft of a first retention screw; and (3) a bore hole provided in said fastening base to provide for a passage for a fifth retention screw; and (b) a transverse web attached to said second end of said of said fastening base and extending transversely thereto; said transverse web having bore holes on either side of said second end of said fastening base to provide for a passage for the first and second retention screws.
 14. A structural assembly comprising(a) a first structural element having a surface; (b) a second structural element having a surface and a recess provided therein; said recess having a depth; (c) a connecting device connecting said first and second structural elements to one another; said connecting device comprising first and second, generally flat, substantially rigid connecting elements each having a substantially rectangular cross section and a uniform material thickness; said first and second connecting elements each including(1) a fastening base having first and second opposite ends; the fastening base of said first connecting element being positioned on said surface of said first structural element and the fastening base of said second connecting element being positioned in said recess of said second structural element; (2) a connecting tab extending from said first end away from and parallel to said fastening base; said connecting tab being offset from said fastening base by a distance equal to said material thickness; said connecting tab having a free tab end; and an insertion slot open towards said free tab end; (3) a bore hole provided in said fastening base; (d) a first retention screw passing through said bore hole of said fastening base of said first connecting element for securing said first connecting element to said surface of said first structural element; and (e) a second retention screw passing through said bore hole of said fastening base of said second connecting element for securing said second connecting element to said base of said recess of said second structural element; said depth of said recess being dimensioned such that said connecting tabs of said first and second connecting elements engage one another under pre-stress and form a positive connection substantially without clearance.
 15. The structural assembly as defined in claim 14, wherein said insertion slots of the connecting tabs of said first and second connecting elements are in alignment with one another; and further comprising a third retention screw passing through said insertion slots and threadedly engaging one of said first and second structural elements. 